At the request of the White House, the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) is assessing the federal government’s role in EMS and considering which federal agency, if any, should be designated as the lead agency on EMS issues. FICEMS was asked to consider the full continuum of EMS and emergency and trauma care, including 911, emergency medical dispatch, ground and air prehospital EMS, hospital-based emergency care and EMS disaster preparedness.
In preparing its options paper, FICEMS requested written comment from stakeholders on what role the federal government should play, EMS functions that should not have federal responsibility, and the issues that should be addressed by any lead office for EMS. Additionally, FICEMS held a conference call with stakeholders in April, in which federal agency representatives listened to recommendations on these topics from EMS organizations. Though stakeholders are divided over which federal agency should act as the lead in EMS affairs, they generally agree that a lead agency, appropriately resourced, would provide a centralized point of contact, federal-level advocacy for EMS, preparedness goals from an EMS perspective and representation equal to other emergency services.
FICEMS was established in 2005 to help ensure coordination among the many federal agencies with EMS responsibility. A recording of the conference call is at ems.gov/multimedia/FICEMS_Stakeholder_Listening_04112011.wma.
Final Health Security Objectives Released
Drafts of the two remaining National Health Security Strategy (NHSS) Biennial Implementation Plan (BIP) objectives were released for comment in April 2011 by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. The BIP describes the priority activities needed to achieve national health security as outlined in the NHSS. The NHSS is required by the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006 to build community resilience and strengthen health and emergency response systems to prepare for disasters.
Objective 4, “Foster Integrated, Scalable Health Care Delivery Systems,” addresses the coordinated effort required by health care services, including EMS providers and other first responders, when a major health emergency strikes. This BIP objective addresses the planning, coordination and training required for each component of the health care delivery system and the role each plays in meeting demands for services. The document makes recommendations on such activities as developing surge capacity and planning for alternative standards of care, as well as the federal agencies assigned to work with health care entities and municipalities to develop strategies to deliver safe and effective care during a public health emergency or disaster.
Objective 6, “Promote an Effective Countermeasures Enterprise,” discusses the medical countermeasures (MCMs)—the pharmaceutical, diagnostic and related products—that must be available to prevent or mitigate exposure to biological agents, chemical attacks or other adverse events. The objective discusses the support necessary for the development and production of MCMs and an efficient MCM distribution and dispensing strategy, and the actions required by federal and local partners.
Links to the two draft documents, which will be finalized following a review of stakeholders’ comments on the documents, are at phe.gov/preparedness/planning/authority/nhss/comments/Pages/default.aspx.
Senate Proposes Grant Extensions
The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act would continue funding for both the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program through 2016.
The bill proposes guaranteed AFG funding for volunteer, career and combination departments at 25 percent of available funds, with remaining funds awarded to departments serving high-risk areas or those especially in need. Maximum grant amounts would be restricted by the population of the jurisdiction served and could be used for training, equipment and the creation of fire safety research centers, among other uses. Nonaffiliated EMS organizations would be eligible for grants.
SAFER program provisions would reduce grants from four to three years, limit matching funds provided by departments to 75 percent per fiscal year and allow for a hardship waiver of certain firefighter hiring and cost requirements.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which manages the grants, would be authorized $950 million for each grant program, less than past authorizations, because bill sponsors want to demonstrate that important needs can be funded responsibly. The bill, which does not currently have a House sponsor, was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs.
Attacks on Public Officers Targeted
The House has proposed legislation that the bill’s sponsors believe would protect public safety officers, including firefighters and other first responders, as well as Congress members, by enhancing the punishment of individuals who attack emergency responders on the job.
The Justice for Public Servants Act amends the federal criminal code to make the murder or attempted murder of responders an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations. The bill, which lacks a Senate companion, was referred to the House Judiciary Committee’s Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee.
